CHANGE THE SCRIPT 2017, BUILDING A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

Change the Script, 2017 (CTS 2017), an annualconference that brings together educators, academicians, researchers andorganizations working in the space ofeducation and life skills for a two day conference. was held at the “School ofAncient Wisdom, Devanahalli in Bangalore, CTS 2017 is envisioned to become apowerful platform for building and sustaining a vibrant movement to supportyoung people in the 21st century.

Why Change The Script now? With the world changingfaster than ever before, it is time to ask ourselves what young people needmost to thrive in the 21st Century. The needs of our societies are changing andyoung people today urgently need new skills to navigate this complex,unpredictable world.

Various organizations and individuals are all, withintheir own spheres working at providing young people the critical skills and thenurturing environments to help them thrive. But in order to build criticalunderstanding about life skills, there is a need to build a supportivecommunity of like-minded organizations and individuals, keeping young people atthe core of intentions and actions.

CTS 2017 has renowned and respected people working inrelated fields from across the globe participating in the conference. Hon.Henry F. De Sio, Jr, former deputy assistant to President Barack Obama; 2008 Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Obamafor America; part of Ashoka's framework change efforts - Everyone A Changemaker™; Dr. David Pearson,Consultant Clinical Psychologist; Dr. Fiona Kennedy, Consultant ClinicalPsychologist;Ravi Gulati, Co-founder Manzil – a youth-led non-profit; MonalJayaram, Director - Research, Curriculum Design & Evaluations from KaivalyaEducation Foundation; Amrita Nair, Co-founder and CEO of ApniShala are justsome of the facilitators and participants in addition to a host of changemakers in the field of education like Principals, facilitators, governmentofficials, NGOs.

Speaking on the occasion Hon. Henry F. De Sio, Jr,former deputy assistant to President Barack Obama; 2008 Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Obamafor America; said “ Very soon 65% jobs that exist today will cease to exist. Weneed to prepare young people for a future we don’t know of because we cannotlet them be sidelined. We need to equip them with the right skills to thrive,skills like empathy, leadership, team work and creativity”.

Speaking about the significance of the conferenceVishal Talreja, Co-Founder & CEO, Dream a Dream said, “Young people todayneed support systems that understand them, listen to them, help them wadethrough this complexity and help them thrive. They need Life Skills that will helpthem overcome adversity and change the script of their lives. Each of theparticipants through their work are providing young people the critical skillsand the nurturing environments to help them thrive. Hence together, we arebetter positioned to develop more holistic, coordinated and exponentially gamechanging solutions to issues faced by young people. We believe, in comingtogether, we will be building a supportive community.”

Dr. Fiona, Clinical Psychologist from UKand one of thekey note speakers said, “Dr. Fiona, Clinical Psychologist from UK and one ofthe key note speakers said, “A fast changing world, technological revolution,an ever demanding work culture - the challenges presented to young people bythe 21st century are myriad. In such circumstances allowing children to work attheir own pace, encouraging them to bounce back, be resilient and walkingbeside them in the journey is critical. It is time to relook at ourexpectations from the new generation so that they emerge successful throughthese challenges. Dr. David and I are glad to be a part of this conference thatwill help co-create innovative approaches in learning